'American Idol' Deal Done For Steven Tyler

I’ve just confirmed from sources close to the singer that the “deal is done” for Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler to be one of the new judges despite having very little TV experience. He has played himself on a few tube episodes (Two And A Half Men and Lizzie McGuire) and been a presenter on countless music awards shows. So there’s no indication what kind of judge he would make. But music industry types I’ve spoken with stress that performers like Tyler often have a hard time openly criticizing other performers, especially up-and-comers. They find it hard to imagine he’ll fill the Simon Cowell “cruel to be kind” role on the show. As things stand now, Tyler will be joining Jennifer Lopez on American Idol next season. Nigel Lythgoe a few days ago denied unconfirmed reports circulating that J-Lo may lose the job because of diva demands after she was offered the gig and accepted it. Fox et al would have to be idiots not to realize that asking J-Lo onto the show would mean inviting an entourage in tow. Meanwhile, Michael Ferrel, the new CEO of the American Idol producer CKX, said Fox expects to announce the replacement judges shortly after Labor Day on September 6th. Meanwhile, CKX still has no new deal for the 10th season of the show and negotiations between its 19 Entertainment with Fox and Fremantle are continuing. It expects Fox to renew its American Idol deal by the end of Q4 or early 2011 at the latest. “It would almost be impossible that Fox wouldn’t want American Idol for its next season,” CFO Thomas Benson told investors.

46 Comments

Jared Wynn • on Aug 18, 2010 10:23 am

Finally! Now I will actually watch this show.

william savage • on Aug 18, 2010 10:23 am

Steven is an excellent choice for the show. He will surprise many with his attention to detail on style and overall singing talent. Steven is a perfectionist and he will guide the talented to success with positive enforcement or a Simon style response for those who are either horrible or just plain jokers to get on TV.

Most of the chatter I have read in the post is simply not true.I guarantee you will change your view of him after a few episodes.

Jacob Felt • on Aug 18, 2010 10:23 am

“Finally! Now I will actually watch this show” – Does having Steve Tyler make the blah of the show disappear? I have been out of the “loop” for over a year now. Is Cowell gone? One of the reasons to watch it was always to see his ruthless attack on those poisoning our ears with their chicken like or worse cackling.

PatKat • on Aug 18, 2010 10:23 am

Tyler was hr8 in the 70’s but now? He blows…and he will be another casualty (ala Ellen Degeneres) next season. UGH!

Janet • on Aug 18, 2010 10:23 am

My husband and I have known Steven and Aerosmith for years and years. You, however, don’t seem to know him at all. Has he had ups and downs? Certainly, and you’re perfect? No one is. He seems to be doing an excellent job.

Tom • on Aug 18, 2010 10:23 am

Not impressed!

But, then again, Idol has been on a slippery downward slope, so the choice of Tyler follows the new Idol culture.

It was always Simon’s show, and will never be the same without him.

simon • on Aug 18, 2010 10:23 am

Ugh, is that the best they could do? I heard him recently and he can’t put two words together. Talented he may be, but doesn’t mean he belongs on Idol. They should cancel Idol and let it go out while it was on top.

Jen • on Aug 18, 2010 10:23 am

SO agree! The death spiral will be painful and not watchable.

Jacob Felt • on Aug 18, 2010 10:23 am

“Talented he may be?” Do you honestly think Steve Tyler would have made it past Simon Cowell on his way into our radio? Does it really take talent to scream into a mic? If he wrote all the songs, yes, talented he is! But, his singing voice is not where his talent shown through! How much better would aerosmith have been if their lead singer was actually better? Heard the new (not so new anymore) singer for Journey? Would, if you have, you not say the newbie is better than Perry? It is amazing that some of the singers of the 70’s and 80’s got their fame! If they had had to go through idol to get there, most wouldn’t have! Let’s just say that Tommy Shaw is not one of those unworthy of his fame and fortune!

larry • on Aug 18, 2010 10:23 am

he likely wouldnt make it past simon, then again neither would led zepplin , according to critics when they started they where never going anywhere!!!

The Warden • on Aug 18, 2010 10:23 am

I do not think American Idol knows what it is getting into. Steven Tyler on paper is much different than Steven Tyler in person.

ar • on Aug 18, 2010 10:23 am

You people talk as if you know Stephen Tyler personally. How can anyone detest another person that they haven’t met in real life? Are you all going by what the gossip rags print? Never judge a book by it’s cover.

Charity • on Aug 18, 2010 10:23 am

The most annoying show on TV with most annoying people. Go away already!

We all know Idol is done. This is just another nail in the coffin. X factor will prevail and become the new IT talent show in the country.

Thanks for the memories…

Oh Boy • on Aug 18, 2010 10:23 am

Who wants to bet Steven doesn’t make it past week 5? He’ll get bored real quick not to mention the abuse he’ll get from his band mates.

this GUY • on Aug 18, 2010 10:23 am

jennifer lopez really screwed up by making all those diva demands. getting on idol was her last best shot at revitalizing her career. big mistake. huge.

shelnate • on Aug 18, 2010 10:23 am

Is that the best that American Idol can do? I do not like Steven Tyler and he will not make a good replacement judge. I know that many other
singers would make better judges than he. What’s wrong with Reba McIntire
or Barry Manilow, or even Harry Connick Jr.? How about Diana Ross? Really,does AI care about their show? Why put someone that most people don’t like in the judge’s seat? I think that most people will be turned off by Steven Tyler and won’t watch the show!

a writer • on Aug 18, 2010 10:23 am

I also think the man can’t string words together. I’ve seen him in enough interviews to know he talks about as clearly as David Lee Roth which is to say, he’s unintelligible most of the time. He rambles on and breaks into song spontaneously when speaking. It won’t play well.

This was a poor choice and I’m stunned the producers chose him.

With him, J. Lo and Randy Jackson, there will be zero real criticism of contestants.

All 3 are too concerned with image to chance saying something take the wrong way.

There has to be more coming to the panel. Perhaps Jackson is out and they are finalizing something with a more acerbic judge.

As it stands, Tyler and J. Lo are style over substance. The good part of them is they are true American success stories in the music industry. In that sense, it gives the panel a bit more credibility than a oversexed songwriter, a comedian and a one hit wonder from the 80’s.

Paw • on Aug 18, 2010 10:23 am

Tyler won’t last. He’s a pampered old school rock star who’s used to working all of 2 hours a day on the road. A 4 month regular series commitment will be way too much for him to handle, as he’s never done one before. And what of his band mates? Will they have to sit idly by and not tour or record during the IDOL seasons? Bad move all around.

As for J Lo, she had to be pretty far down on the list. No recent hit record, can’t tour (because she can’t sing live), can’t open a movie, no series experience. She has to be as irrelevant to the 40-50 year olds that watch IDOL as she is to the general entertainment audience.

Jacob Felt • on Aug 18, 2010 10:23 am

Touring? When is the last time Aerosmith toured? Did I not hear over the past year or so that they were actually thinking of replacing his sorry butt anyway? I was like, man, that might actually make Aerosmith great for the first time ever for something more than the killer guitar riffs!

Forever in Love with Steven • on Aug 18, 2010 10:23 am

Most of you are just morons. Your not worthy to grace your eyes and ears upon Steven Tyler. This man was Born to Rock!

Steven don’t do it, Keep it for your fans who love and adore you and the bad boys from Boston! Without Aerosmith there is no Rock & Roll!

The Fenway and Mohegan shows were awesome!

Billy Jack • on Aug 18, 2010 10:23 am

At least they finally chose someone to reflect the rock side of the pop music equation, even if there’s a long way between “Sweet Emotion” and covering Diane Warren songs for Michael Bay soundtracks.

walt • on Aug 18, 2010 10:23 am

the only way to save it now is to put Howard Stern on there.
wtf is Nigel thinking? Jblow and Tyler? Does ANYONE in AI’s fan base even know who he is, or care? this show is DONE. Simon must be laughing all freakin’ DAY.

Beverly Hills • on Aug 18, 2010 10:23 am

You have got to be kidding! Who cares. I would watch to see JLO some of the time but never to see Tyler. If this is for certain what a bad mistake with such an abundance of top talent with Karisma and talent. I am really wondering who and why these decisions are made. Suicide for this show.
Thank you

Tina • on Aug 18, 2010 10:23 am

Huge mistake. Should have been Adam Lambert with Shania Twain and Randy. Tyler is old and creepy.

Timmy • on Aug 18, 2010 10:23 am

This actually makes me interested in watching again. Although, if Jennifer Lopez ends up on the show too, I won’t.

INterested Observer • on Aug 18, 2010 10:23 am

Remember a few years back when this shiw was ubstoppable and people openly wondered what if anything could knock it off its throne? Now we know. Tyler and JLo are both rather unpleasant people, with as many haters as fans. Elton John — who appears to have passed — would have been a safer, smarter chiice for the “mean dad” slot on the panel. I can see America really turning its back on this lineup, especially if the scripted competition steps it up. Tyler is pathetic and gross and hasn’t flirted with relevence since 93 or so.

PS Idol: you might want to think about putting someone with a college education on this panel…just an idea.

Jacob Felt • on Aug 18, 2010 10:23 am

The fact that a great like Elton John passed on this menial and way boring show should have been evidence enough that it has run its course! The last year of any kind of “yeah” to it at all was Carrie Underwood! Since her, it has stunk and quickly gone down hill into the sewer of a has been but no longer is… AI, please bow out and leave our televisions. If you still want to crown someone as a new shot on the radio, do it in private and let us hear him or her for the first time once they have recorded something of substance! Rather than embarrassed the original writer and singer(s).

savvydude • on Aug 18, 2010 10:23 am

Last year was a trial to endure. Steven Tyler? Burned-out, creepy and not so glib. The producers will regret this one.

It’s turning more and more into a freak show.

Sally in Chicago • on Aug 18, 2010 10:23 am

If this is a reboot, then why Steven Tyler? He’s an embarassment and I hope they all went to dinner with Nigel like he said they would. Tyler is not “camera” ready…he looks horrid….and he may end up being David Hasselhoff AGT to Idol…always in the news for some drug- or alcohol incident.

As for J-Lo…she might work, but why didn’t they just keep Kara for another season? Not that I liked Kara, but all this behind the scenes drama is unnecessary. Thank goodness Randy is still there — but for how long?